Multiple sample holder indexing means and method of using same

Abstract

An indexing method and means for a sample support having multiple sample holders organized in rows and columns is disclosed. A cover with an opening therein slides over sidewalls surrounding at least part of the sample support. This covers a portion of the holders while allowing access to another portion. Stepped edges may be also provided to support multiple sample supports. Another embodiment provides symbols along one sidewall abutting the sample support and a second set of symbols along a guide member slidable over the sample support. These symbols are aligned with rows and columns of the sample support providing for indexing of any one sample holder. This device and method may be combined with a second component for second sample support having matching symbols, allowing for cross-indexing of the sample holders to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An indexing means for a sample container having multiple sample holders comprising: a cover having a top and two opposite sidewalls extending downwardly from the top;   said cover sidewalls of a distance opposite one another to allow said cover to slide over a sample container having multiple sample holders;   a base plate having first and second sidewalls of a distance opposite one another narrower than the distance between said cover sidewalls, said second sidewalls wider than said sample container and allowing said cover to slide along said second sidewalls;   a pair of supports located on said base plate opposite each other, said supports of a height and distance from one another to support said sample container;   said supports having multiple stepped ledges so that said sample containers of various sizes can be supported;   an opening within said top allowing access to at least a portion of said sample holders when said cover is placed over said sample container, so that said cover may slide back and forth over said sample container allowing selective covering of a portion of said sample holders while allowing access to another portion of said sample holders.   
     
     
       2. The indexing means of claim 1 further comprising a second pair of supports located on said base plate opposite each other on a longitudinal axis, said first pair of supports located lateral of said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       3. The indexing means of claim 2 wherein said first pair of supports are the same distance from one another as the distance between said second pair of supports. 
     
     
       4. The indexing means of claim 3 wherein each of said first pair of supports has two sides and a side wall located on each side of said support to prevent lateral movement of said sample containers. 
     
     
       5. The indexing means of claim 4 wherein said sidewalls of said first pair of supports extend sufficiently inward on said base plate so that said sidewalls abut said sample container when said container is positioned on said second pair of supports, thereby preventing lateral movement of said sample container.